Axle-lubricator



(No Model.)

M. J. MGARTHUR.

AXLE LUBRIGATOR. y No. 438,817. Patented 0015.21, 1890.

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UNITED STATES MARY JMCARTHUR, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

AXLE-LUBRICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,817,

Application led August S, 1890.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARY J. MCARTHUR, of Cleveland, in the county ofCuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Axle -Lubricato'rsg andl do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and usethe saine.

My invention relates to improvements in lubricating device forvehicle-axles, the object being to provide a lubricating device thatwill distribute the lubricant equally, that will collect Whatever dustor dirt that may gain access to the axle-spindle, keeping the latterperfectly clean, and that for cleaning purposes may be .removed from theaxle with the dirt or dust that has been collected wit-houtnecessitating the removal of the wheel.

A further object is to provide suitable mechanism whereby thelubricating device can be securely locked in its position on the axle.

With these objects in view -my invention consists in certain features ofconstruction and in combination of parts, hereinafter described, andpointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of my improvedlubricating device in working position on an axle, a portion ,beingbroken away to. more clearly show the construction. Fig. 2 is a centralvertical section, partly in elevation. Fig. 3 is aside elevation of thelubricating device removed from the axle. Fig. 4. is a section on linea: Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modification.

A represents the body of the axle; A the axle-spindle; A2, the collar onthe spindle, and A3 the nut on the end of the spindle.

The body of the axle is grooved or recessed at a. Collar A2 has alateral hole at a2, and the axle-spindle is grooved, as shown at a', thehole a2 in the collar being in open relation with the respective groovesin the body and spindle of the axle. Groove a in the spindle extends tonear the forward end of the spindle, where it is slightly undercut, asshown at ci.

The lubricating device comprises a plate B,

dated October 21, 1890.

Serial No. 361,477. (No model.)

the latter having an opening b, preferably cen trally located, and theplate has connected therewith at the bottom a duct C, that is in Openrelation with the opening in the plate. Duct C has a long tubularextension C', that part way of its length is attened and open at thetop, the attened portion having cornparatively sharp edges c, as shownmore clearly in Fig. 4. The yforward end of the 6o tubular extension hasa toe c for engaging the undercut port-ion a2 of the groove in theaxle-spindle. Plate B has an upwardly-projecting annular flange B aroundopening to enlarge the size of the opening. A ledge b between theopening and flange serves as a seat for a washer b2.

For closing, the opening is provided with a lid or coverD,hinged toplate Bin any suitable manner, preferably as shown at cl, and cover 7oD, at the forward end thereof, terminates in a tongue D', for engaging aspring-latch E for locking the cover or lid in its closed position,catch E being secured to plate Bin any suitable manner. Lid or cover Dhas at either or both sides thereof and preferably integral therewith adepending curved arm or hook D3, the latter, in the locked position ofthe parts, being adapted to engage a pin F, projecting laterally fromthe axle. From the 8o foregoing it will be observed that any tendency toback the device from theaxle is effectively resisted. Lid or cover'D hasalso an annular flange D2 depending from the inner or under surface ofthe cover, flange D2 85 being adapted to press upon washer'b2 when thecover is in its closed or locked position, thus preventing ingress ofdust and dirt into the lubricating device at this point.

In applying my lubricating device the toe 9o end of member C is enteredthrough the opening in the axle, and then the device is pushed or shovedalong groove d, through hole c2, andalong groove o. until the toe c ofmember C has engaged the undercut portion a3 of the groove in theaxle-spindle, thus hold- L.. ing member C securely to its seat in theaxlespindle. Lid D is then closed, and the device automatically lockedby means of the mechanism already described. By gently pressing Icoforward on the spring-latch F. the cover or lid D may be readily liftedor opened and the device removed from the axle. Member C is attened'andopened practically the entire length of the Wearing-surface of thcaxlespindle, and by reason of the iiattened portion ofmemberCpresentinga comparatively sharp edge or edges toward the opening in member C thelatter, besides performing the functions of a feed-d uct andlubricant-distributer, also acts as a scraperand dirtcollector, keepingthe spindlerof the axle free from dust and dirt by scraping andcollecting the latter into its opening. Hence the dirt and dust that mayhave found access to the axle-spindle can be removed at any time bysimply removing the lubricating device, and the latter, as aforesaid,can readily be removed Without requiring the removal of the Wheel fromthe spindle of the axle.

My improved lubricating device is simple in construction, and can becleaned by awire or almost anything at hand.

When a bolster G is attached to the body of the axle, as shown in Fig.5, by means of a clip I-I, for instance, the clip and bolster are ofcourse provided with openings, respectively, for the insertion of thelubricating device, and the upwardly-projecting annular flange of plateB maybe screw-threaded, either inter nally or externally, for attachingan oil-cup J. In such case, of course, the locking-mechanism Would besomewhat modified, a construction Well adapted to the purpose beingshown in Fig. 5, wherein a portion of the clip is broken away to moreclearly show the construction.

The locking device is hinged to plate B in any suitable manner,preferably as shown at t?, comprising two members I and I', one member Ibeing adapted to engage the rear or top Wall-in the present instance thetop wall of the recess 0r chamber G in the bolster,or axle-body when nobolster is used,) as shown at z'. While member I is thus engaged theother member I engages a seat or recess in flange B of plate B, as shownat i. In such position of the locking device the oil-cup is attached,and, as shown, holds the device in its locked position, and member Icifectually resists any tendency to Withdraw the lubricating device fromthe axle.

lVhat I claim is- 1. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with agrooved axle, of an oil-conduct slotted or open at its upper surface andextending approximately the entire length of the journal of the axle,and having an opening or oil-cup at one end, to receive the lubricatingsubstance, substantially as set forth.

2. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with a grooved axle, of aremovable oil-conduct slotted or open and iiattened at its upper surfaceand extending approximately the entire length of the journal of theaxle, the flattened surface of the oil-conduct having a comparativelysharp edge presenting toward the opening or slot in the conduct,substaniially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, With a grooved axle and aremovable oil-conduct adapted to sit in the groove of the axle, saidconduct being' slotted or open at its upper surface and extendingapproximately the entire length of the journal of the axle and having anopening or oil-cup at one end to receive the lubricatingsubstance, ofsuitable mechanism for locking the lubricating device to the axle,substantially as set forth.

4. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with a grooved axle and aremovable oil-conduct adapted to sit in the groove of the axle, saidconduct being slotted or open at its upper surface and extendingapproximately the entire length of the journal of the axle, of suitablemechanism for locking the lubricating device to the axle, and an oil-cupfor supplying lubricant, substantially as set forth.

5. A lubricating device for vehicle-axles, comprising an oil-conduct`having a slotted and flattened upper surface and adapted to extendapproximately the entire length of the journal of the axle, and havingan opening or oil-cup at one end to receive the lubrieating substance,and suitable mechanism connected therewith for locking the device to theaxle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specilication, in the presence of twoWitnesses, this 26th day of July, 1890.

MARY J. MCARTHUR.

Witnesses:

C. H. DoRER, TARD HOOVER.

